> Hi all, > > I am doing some research on SMT > machines. I would like as many people as possible > to rate the following machines 1-5. The number 1 > would be the best, number 5, the least desirable > of the 5. I realize that there are dozens of > factors to consider when choosing a machine. If > you can, please limit your evaluation to the > cost, ease of use, tech support, > reliability. > > here are the 5 I would like > ranked: > > panasonic, fuji, mydata, siemens, > universal. I know this isn't a scientific > study...I am just looking for industry > preferences. > > Thanks!!!!
Peterson,
As you will note from your other responses, it is impossible to figure out what you are asking because of the lack of information in your question. After being in the industry for 20 years now, I have seen all of these machine manufacturers come and go with different models. The current business climate is, at best, tenuous. The models that you would have had recommended two years ago would be entirely based on throughput and speed rather on effective time of manufacturing. The climate has changed!!!
In your question, you failed to mention whether your environment is fast changeover or fast placement. Judging by the 5 candidates that you gave us you must be looking more at fast placement rather than fast changeover. As you know, each of the manufacturers mentioned make several speeds of machines with varying options. In the final analysis of which machine you buy, it really boils down to this: If the machine isn't running and actually placing parts then your company is losing money. The changeover and programming of your machines is VERY important. It really doesn't matter how fast your machine places parts if it takes several hours to set it up now does it.
The Siemens machine set, while fast at placement was designed primarily for the Telecom markets that required running high volumes with small components to place and limited mix. The basic design, while very good in many ways, has some caveats to it. It also has some quick changeover ideas that they have implemented into it.
The Fuji turret machines were designed for high volume and consequently weren't designed with quick changeover in mind. They have felt the quick changeover evolution and have tried to adapt to this countries need for it by designing machines that would fit that small CM niche. Their IP and QP systems were to bridge that gap but they fall short in many ways.
The Universal machines (I am assuming that you are talking about the GSM and not the Universal/Sanyo) was designed for flexibility and not speed. That is why they partnered with Sanyo on the chip shooter back in early 1990. The SANYO machine is still one of the best and should stand out for 0201 placement capability at high speeds.
The MYDATA systems have been almost exclusively focused on batch processing with some adaptation to in line a few years ago. Of the 5 candidates, this is the candidate with the quickest changeover. There are others that are faster and more capable in other ways but not in your list of 5. Their recent machines have tried to bridge the gap between quick changeover and fast but have found that ANY design has a niche that is pretty well defined (quick changeover) and seldom can be adapted to others (fast placement).
The Panasonic machines also have tried to keep up with a constantly changing industry. They have tried to adapt their machines to a quick changeover scenario with much of their efforts on designing toward 0201 placement. They have done a relatively good job in the last couple of years particularly on their software (Panapro). While their machines do have some strengths they also have some weaknesses. Namely their lack of integration with other off the shelf CIM products like Circuitcam.
As you can see, there are several items to consider when specifying a pick and place machine set. I would highly encourage you to seek out the counsel of someone in your immediate area that has extensive experience in these types of decisions. I have seen MANY engineers limit their career opportunities at their respective companies by choosing the absolutely wrong machine and buying from the best sales hype. One of the absolute biggest considerations in buying a machine of this type is service and support. I didn't even touch on this aspect because it varies widely within any region of the country.
My recommendation is to call the SMTA and seek out local, very experienced help.
Good luck!
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